makeSafe() replaces strings or parts of strings which may be dangerous if executed on a database. It returns "safe" strings which can be used in SQL statements. makeSafe() or other escaping-strategies protect you from so called "SQL Injection".
See here:
https://searchsoftwarequality.techtarge ... -injection
SQL injection
Posted by: Margaret Rouse
WhatIs.com
SQL injection is a type of security exploit in which the attacker adds Structured Query Language (SQL) code to a Web form input box to gain access to resources or make changes to data. An SQL query is a request for some action to be performed on a database. [...] an attacker can use the input boxes to send their own request to the database, which could allow them to download the entire database or interact with it in other illicit ways.
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Jan